The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I had a chance to buy a home model B with 2/4 min adapter and 100+ cylinders for $350. I already have one and wanted another as a hobby to fix up, learn and resell at or near break even for the learning experience.

I passed on it mainly because the horn looked much worse than the pictures. No dents but completely rusted surface. You’d have to strip and repaint. Unsure how that would affect resale. The cabinet had a fair amount of wear and metal fittings had surprising amount of rust. But it seemed to run well.

Other pros and cons:
No 2 minute reproducer
No horn crane
Cylinders ok condition but no titles that jumped out. Many late teens or 1920 vintage but some earlier ones.

The guy had a buyer for $450 delivered but found it would cost more than that to ship.

I’m second guessing myself. Did I do the right thing passing on this? It gave me an appreciation of the condition of the unit I inherited.

At that price, in that condition, you were wise to walk away. You would end up with far more into it than it would be worth. There are many of these around, you will find a much better one for the same or less. A clean original will always be more desirable than a repainted / refinished one.

Some would say the cylinders were worth $300 alone so you’re getting the phonograph for $50, but it seems you don’t get credit for the cylinders particularly if they’re sold with a unit.

Burt68 wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 1:03 am Some would say the cylinders were worth $300 alone...

I wouldn't. Maybe if they were all in decent shape and you sold them one at a time, with all the trouble & time that would entail. But I think putting a $300 price tag on a box of 100 random cylinders would be a hard sell.

I think the OP was wise in passing on the "deal".

Probably a good idea that you passed it up if the condition was as poor as you said. I saw Edison Home Model B’s in mint shape go for around $600, so $350 was a high price if the condition was poor.

I would have bought it in a heartbeat.

Rich Gordon

rgordon939 wrote: Sat Jan 22, 2022 2:38 pm I would have bought it in a heartbeat.

Rich Gordon

I didn’t see the part that he mentioned that it had 100+ cylinders. I probably would have picked it up then as well.

You do what you think is best. The only reason I would have bought it is for the records. I already have a home Model B I’m happy with. I only need one version of a model generation. Now if the machine was a suitcase Model A, Model C, or model E, or Model F…